NY seals first state gun laws since Newtown massacre

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks during a news conference announcing an agreement with legislative leaders on New York's Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act in the Red Room at the Capitol on Monday.Associated Press

ALBANY, N.Y. -- New
York lawmakers agreed to pass the toughest gun control law in the
nation and the first since the Newtown, Conn., school shooting, and now
dare other states and Washington to follow.

"This is a scourge on society," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday night, six days after making gun control a centerpiece of
his progressive agenda in his State of the State address. The bipartisan
effort was fueled by the Newton tragedy that took the lives of 20 first
graders and six educators. "At what point do you say, 'No more innocent
loss of life.'"

Sen. Jeffrey Klein, leader of the Independent
Democratic Conference in the Senate, said it is landmark legislation.
"This is not about taking anyone's rights away," said Klein, a Bronx
Democrat. "It's about a safe society ... today we are setting the mark
for the rest of the county to do what's right."

The measure, which
calls for a tougher assault weapons ban and restrictions on ammunition
and the sale of guns, passed the Senate 43-18 on the strength of support
from Democrats, many of whom previously sponsored bills that were once
blocked by Republicans.

The Democrat-led Assembly gaveled out before
midnight and planned to take the issue up at 10 a.m. Tuesday. It is
expected to pass easily.

The governor confirmed the proposal,
previously worked out in closed session, also would mandate a police
registry of assault weapons, grandfathering in assault weapons already
in private hands.

It would create a more powerful tool to require
the reporting of mentally ill people who say they intend to use a gun
illegally and would address the unsafe storage of guns, the governor
confirmed.

It was agreed upon exactly a month since the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy.

"It
is well-balanced, it protects the Second Amendment," said Senate
Republican leader Dean Skelos of Long Island. "And there is no
confiscation of weapons, which was at one time being considered.

"This
is going to go after those who are bringing illegal guns into the
state, who are slaughtering people in New York City," Skelos said. "This
is going to put people in jail and keep people in jail who shouldn't be
out on the street in the first place."---Follow @siadvance on Twitter